Jorge Jesus explains the decision to exclude http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Joan-Capdevila-c18631 from Benfica’s Champions League squad
Benfica manager Jorge Jesus has explained his decision to exclude Spanish star Joan Capdevila from the club’s UEFA Champions League squad. He claimed that he did not care how many winner’s medals the player had accumulated in the past but what mattered was
his current form.
La Roja International, Joan Capdevila, was signed by the Eagles from Villarreal earlier this summer but the defender is yet to actually take to the pitch for the Lisbon outfit.
Originally thought to be making his debut in the UEFA Champions League qualifier against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Trabzonspor-c40759, the Spaniard had to miss out on the vital encounter as he failed to register his documents with the concerned authorities at the right time.
After missing out on his side’s season opener, Capdevila was expected to don the Benfica colours in the match against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Twente-c39233 but was surprisingly not included in the squad for the two-legged affair.
Responding to questions by reporters, Reds Manager Jorge Jesus commented on the situation and claimed that fellow new signing http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Emerson-c12442 was currently better than Capdevila, who won the FIFA World Cup last year.
"Emerson was not world champion or Europe, is Benfica player. The past does not count for me, what matters is the present.” He said.
The 57-year-old also explained the strict rules and regulations of UEFA prevented him for naming the former Espanyol man in the squad as slots were already limited.
"The number of entries in UEFA is lower. Under these conditions and taking into account the training time, decided to keep almost the same players chosen for the tie with Trabzonspor.” He further added.
Although the decision to include Capdevila is justified by the fact that he is nearing the end of his career, the player’s agent Horacio Gaggioli seemed surprise that his client was not named in the squad to face Dutch opposition.
“That is strange news. Capdevila I know that is far from its normal, but expected it to be registered,” the agent said.
While Joan Capdevila is omitted from the UEFA Champions League squad, he is expected to play some part in Benfica’s Portuguese Primeira Liga campaign and has been registered for the season.
Tags: